Uganda shuts Congo border as Ebola cases surge in volatile Ituri region
Uganda has sealed its border with the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) after confirming seven Ebola cases, including one death, as the virus spreads across the volatile Ituri region. Health officials in Kampala announced the immediate closure late Tuesday, defying World Health Organization (WHO) guidance that no country should restrict cross-border movement during outbreaks. The DRC has recorded at least 223 suspected Ebola deaths since the latest outbreak began in April, according to *Público* .
The decision targets high-traffic crossing points in Ituri, where porous borders and frequent population movement have accelerated transmission. Ugandan authorities cited the need to "prevent uncontrolled spillover" as the primary justification, though WHO has repeatedly warned that border closures can disrupt medical supply chains and drive infected individuals into unmonitored smuggling routes. *Adevărul* reports that the closure is temporary but indefinite, with no timeline for reopening .
Meanwhile, the sole Ebola patient treated outside Africa—an American aid worker evacuated to Berlin’s Charité hospital—remains in stable condition. Physicians now predict a full recovery, with the patient responding well to experimental antiviral treatments. The case has drawn attention to Europe’s preparedness for high-risk pathogens, though no secondary infections have been reported in Germany .
The outbreak’s epicenter in eastern DRC remains a logistical nightmare. Armed militias, including remnants of the RSF, continue to block access to hotspots, while health workers face attacks from communities distrustful of foreign intervention. Uganda’s move reflects growing regional alarm, but epidemiologists warn that unilateral border closures may exacerbate the crisis by pushing cases underground. The WHO has not yet commented on Uganda’s decision but is expected to convene an emergency meeting later this week.
Uganda shuts Congo border as Ebola cases surge in volatile Ituri region
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